Demba Ba got a broken nose and the European champions left Tyneside with broken hearts.

And the blue shirts of Chelsea had long since departed the pitch as new Geordie heroes like Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran and Mathieu Debuchy took part in a lap of honour to mark such a memorable and deserved win over the team that even the mighty Bayern Munich could not crack in their own backyard last May!

Funnily enough nobody was talking about Ba by the end, with the former United striker left floored by the boot of rejuvenated Fabricio Coloccini.

No doubt about it, this one is worth savouring.

It may be belated for Newcastle United, but 2013 is finally now a case of out with the old and in with the new.

Ba has been consigned to the history books for Newcastle and new stars are beginning to emerge.

Newcastle’s new boys may not be fluent in English, but they are fluent in the universal language of good football and their hearts are already beating to the rhythm of the Geordie fans.

Well, if this is a sign of things to come for new-look United, then the wild celebrations at the final whistle could become a regular fixture at St James’.

Many feared that the departure of Ba last month would be one of the final nails in Newcastle’s relegation coffin.

But the arrival of stars like Sissoko, Gouffran and Debuchy have clearly breathed new life into both United and the quality players they already have on board.

The Newcastle followers who thought that the Magpies were staring the Championship in the face just a fortnight ago were well within their rights to fear the worst after their side went down without a fight against Reading.

Now, though, they can start to lighten up, because Sissoko was the one who led the way when it came to reigniting the season with this stunning victory.

Gouffran wasn’t too far behind him with a display that epitomised his blistering pace and showed the damage the man from Bordeaux can cause if United can utilise him to maximum effect.

United had worked hard in the first half and deserved more than just Jonas Gutierrez’ rare headed goal.

The Argentinian has endured a battering by fans via social networking sites, but this one left the trolls who had targeted him silent.

Chelsea felt that Coloccini should have been sent off for his high tackle on Ba that left him spurting with blood, a point that Rafa Benitez was quick to underline.

Just like the Match of the Day cameras though, he also omitted the shocking two-footed tackle by Ramires on Jonas from his post-match reflections.

Papiss Cisse had missed a hatful of chances after finding Petr Cech in solid form and it looked like Newcastle were going to go on and regret his lack of sharpness in the second half as goals from Frank Lampard and Juan Mata had the visitors in front and in control just after the hour mark.

But unlike the injury-ravaged and inexperienced United side that was running low on form and confidence in the first half of the season, with new blood on board and fresh energy they managed to stage the fightback.

This was the first time Alan Pardew had seen United come back from behind to win a league game during his tenure.

Granted, both strikes from Lampard and Mata were from the top drawer, but at that stage, many Toon fans were uttering: “Here we go again.”

Yet what was about to unfold in the final quarter of the game was something very special, and few will forget the home debut of Sissoko in a hurry.

It was up there with Malcolm Macdonald’s 1971 home debut against Liverpool when the legendary ex-No 9 netted a hat-trick, and he was in the stands to give his approval as the France international struck twice to win it for United. It’s also fair to say that Kevin Keegan would tip his hat as Sissoko went one better than Special K’s home debut in 1982, when he notched the winner against QPR.

Sissoko’s magic may not have come amid summer sunshine like Keegan and Supermac, but it warmed hearts as Newcastle put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone. Putting the stunning goals and gripping drama to one side for just a moment, there were two moments on Saturday that struck a chord with the Geordie fans who crave good, attacking and entertaining football.

Cast your mind back to when Newcastle were 2-1 down.

Gouffran was picked out by Cisse and the speed demon was roared on as he left the Chelsea defence for dead down the left channel before his shot was saved by Petr Cech to fall into path of Sissoko, who did the rest.

Moments later Gouffran’s clearance looked to be heading out for a throw, but Sissoko’s will to charge down a blind alley and chase a lost cause saw him skin England defender Ashley Cole and almost turn the tide with a thumping shot which Cech had to turn away with a first-class block.

For Cole, fallen England defender John Terry and Cech, though, it proved to be nothing more than a warning shot.

Having already shown the battling qualities to claw themselves level, Newcastle looked like a team that wanted to go for it against Chelsea, and they did just that.

Pardew’s substitutions against Reading had prompted boos and jeers from some quarters.

Yet there were no complaints when Sylvain Marveaux emerged from the bench and went for the jugular.

What would happen next will be remembered for years to come as Sissoko exchanged passes with Davide Santon before striking cleanly into the bottom corner of Cech’s net.

Cue pandemonium, cue optimism, cue an instant hero in the shape of Sissoko and an inevitable love affair from the fans in the stands and cue the latest step of the French Revolution at St James’ Park.

Unlike just a few weeks ago, Newcastle’s campaign is now alive and kicking once again.

Ryder’s verdict: In years to come many a Toon fan will ask: Were you there for Moussa Sissoko’s home debut against Chelsea?